Inflatable device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable device has an inflatable bladder and a towing attachment point. The inflatable bladder has a top portion and a bottom portion. The towing attachment point is attached to the inflatable bladder for towing the inflatable device. A flocking layer is bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion, to form a rider receiving area, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area while the inflatable device is being towed via the towing attachment point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/500,718, filed Jun. 24, 2011

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Description of Related Art

The invention generally relates to inflatable towable devices and, more particularly, to an inflatable towable device of simpler construction that provides superior comfort for the person riding the device.

2. Description of Related Art

Inflatable devices for recreational water or snow use exist. One category of such devices, referred to as “towables,” are designed to be towed behind a boat or other vehicle. These towable devices typically support one or more persons and include many designs ranging from tire inner tubes to more complex designs. The towable devices are designed to travel or skim across the surface of the water while occasionally bouncing off the surface when encountering a wave or similar disturbance in the water.

Prior art towables include a welded PVC inner bladder, and an outer cover. The PVC of the inner bladder is strong enough to withstand the substantial forces of being towed without rupturing; however, it is not a comfortable surface, so it is important to provide a more comfortable exterior. The outer cover is made of a softer flexible material such as polyester, nylon, or similar material, and may further include Neoprene and/or other similar materials to provide an even more comfortable riding surface for the rider.

The prior art teaches towables that include a PVC inner bladder and an outer comfort that provides the user with a comfortable riding surface. However, the prior art does not teach a towable that includes a PVC inner bladder along, without a cover, and instead covered with a flocking layer that provides the comfortable riding surface. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides an inflatable device adapted for towing a rider over a surface, the inflatable device comprising an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion; a towing attachment point attached to the inflatable bladder; and a flocking layer bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion, to form a rider receiving area, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area while the inflatable device is being towed via the towing attachment point.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable device having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide an inflatable device that includes a flocking layer in place of an exterior cover.

A further objective is to provide an inflatable device that is less expensive to manufacture, and easier to inflate and prepare for use.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an inflatable device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, an inflatable device 10 that is of simpler construction than prior art towables, yet provides superior comfort for the person riding the device 10. While the inflatable device 10 is especially suitable for use as a towable water-sport device and will be described herein as being used on water, the construction and techniques of the inflatable device 10 are useful and applicable for other related devices used on alternative surfaces as well, such as snow, ice, land, or other surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the inflatable device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof. FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the inflatable device 10 includes an inflatable bladder 12 constructed of a top portion 14 and a bottom portion 16. In one embodiment, the top portion 14 and the bottom portion 16 are separate elements that are welded or otherwise attached to form a single unit that can hold air. For purposes of this application, the term “welded” is hereby defined to include any form of welding, gluing, sewing, or other similar or equivalent method known in the art for attaching the top and bottom portions 14 and 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the top and bottom portions 14 and 16 are welded together in a perimeter weld 17 such that the top portion 14 provides a rider receiving area, and the bottom portion 16 is generally in contact with the water. In an alternative embodiment, the top portion 14 and the bottom portion 16 may be of single construction, or formed in alternative manners.

The top portion 14 and the bottom portion 16 are both made of plastic material substantially impervious to passage of an inflation fluid, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), and is typically inflatable with air or other appropriate fluid through a valve (not shown). While PVC is a one option, the term PVC as used herein is defined to include other fluid-impervious materials that are strong enough to withstand the significant forced imparted by towing. Alternative suitable materials may include, but not limited to polyester, EVA or other weldable or gluable plastic materials. Furthermore, although only one inflatable bladder 12 is shown in the figures, the device may include separately inflatable sections.

The inflatable bladder 12 of the present invention does not include a cover, but instead includes a flocking layer 18 laminated to the top portion 14. The flocking layer 18 may be bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion 14, to form a rider receiving area 15, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area 15 while the inflatable device 10 is being towed via the towing attachment point 22. The flocking layer 18 may be formed of any suitable material (e.g., velour). The term “laminated” is hereby defined to include any form of welding, gluing, or other form of attachment known in the art that forms a suitably strong attachment between the layers.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inflatable device 10 may further include at least one handle element 20 and/or other accessories that are desirable in a towable inflatable, or other related product. The handle element 20 may be positioned at locations adjacent to where a rider or riders would be situated on the inflatable device 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inflatable device 10 may further include towline attachment device 22 that includes a planar base 24 that is welded to the bottom portion 16, and an attachment point 26 that is suitable for attaching a tow rope. The towline attachment device 22 is required because there is no cover to provide a point of attachment.

While the present embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 teaches a device having a particular look and construction, the present invention should not be limited thereto, but should include alternatives shapes, designs, and structures, consistent with what is known in the art. Furthermore, the invention further includes other inflatable recreational devices that are equivalent to the towable device illustrated herein.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. 

1. An inflatable device adapted for towing a rider over a surface, the inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion; a towing attachment point attached to the inflatable bladder; and a flocking layer bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion, to form a rider receiving area, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area while the inflatable device is being towed via the towing attachment point.
 2. The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one handle element adjacent the rider receiving area to enable the rider to hold onto the inflatable device while riding the inflatable device.
 3. The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder of made of PVC and the flocking layer is made of velour.
 4. The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the towing attachment point includes a planar base that is welded to the bottom portion, and an attachment point that is suitable for attaching a tow rope.
 5. An inflatable device adapted for towing a rider over a surface, the inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being welded to the bottom portion via a perimeter weld; a towing attachment point welded to the bottom portion of the inflatable bladder adjacent the perimeter weld; and a flocking layer bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion, to form a rider receiving area, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area while the inflatable device is being towed via the towing attachment point.
 6. The inflatable device of claim 5, further comprising at least one handle element adjacent the rider receiving area to enable the rider to hold onto the inflatable device while riding the inflatable device.
 7. The inflatable device of claim 5, wherein the inflatable bladder of made of PVC and the flocking layer is made of velour.
 8. The inflatable device of claim 5, wherein the towing attachment point includes a planar base that is welded to the bottom portion, and an attachment point that is suitable for attaching a tow rope.
 9. An inflatable device adapted for towing a rider over a surface, the inflatable device comprising: an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being welded to the bottom portion via a perimeter weld; a towing attachment point welded to the bottom portion of the inflatable bladder adjacent the perimeter weld; a flocking layer bonded directly to at least a part of the top portion, to form a rider receiving area, such that the rider can ride on the rider receiving area while the inflatable device is being towed via the towing attachment point; and at least one handle element adjacent the rider receiving area to enable the rider to hold onto the inflatable device while riding the inflatable device, wherein the inflatable bladder of made of PVC and the flocking layer is made of velour.
 10. The inflatable device of claim 9, wherein the towing attachment point includes a planar base that is welded to the bottom portion, and an attachment point that is suitable for attaching a tow rope. 